Title: Which network cable is better? Hot topics and purchasing guides across the Internet
With the popularity of remote working, online education and 4K streaming media, choosing a suitable network cable has become the focus of many users. This article will combine the hot discussions and technical reviews on the Internet in the past 10 days to analyze how to choose the most suitable network cable type.
1. Ranking of current popular network cable types

| Network cable type | Transmission rate | maximum bandwidth | Transmission distance | Applicable scenarios |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat5e | 1Gbps | 100MHz | 100 meters | General use at home |
| Cat6 | 10Gbps | 250MHz | 55 meters | Small and medium enterprises |
| Cat6a | 10Gbps | 500MHz | 100 meters | data center |
| Cat7 | 10Gbps | 600MHz | 100 meters | Professional eSports |
| Cat8 | 40Gbps | 2000MHz | 30 meters | 8K video transmission |
2. Recent hot topics of discussion
1.The battle between Cat6 and Cat6a: Recently, many technology forums have been discussing the cost-effectiveness of these two network cables. Although Cat6a has stronger performance, the price is 30%-50% higher. Whether it is worth upgrading for ordinary home users has become a hot topic.
2.Flat network cable becomes popular: In the home decoration community, ultra-thin and flat design network cables are popular because they are easy to hide and beautiful. However, experts warn that this may sacrifice some shielding performance.
3.Popularization of 2.5G network equipment: With the price reduction of routers and NAS devices that support 2.5Gbps, Cat5e and Cat6 network cables that can support this rate have regained attention.
3. Five key indicators for purchasing network cables
| indicator | Description | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission rate | Amount of data transmitted per unit time | At least 1Gbps |
| Shield type | Anti-interference ability | STP/FTP (high interference environment) |
| Wire diameter specifications | Conductor thickness | 23AWG-26AWG |
| Material | conductor material | Oxygen-free copper is the best |
| Certification standards | quality assurance | TIA/EIA certification |
4. Recommended solutions for different scenarios
1.Ordinary home users: Cat5e or Cat6 is completely sufficient. Just choose the unshielded (UTP) model. It is recommended to budget 100-200 yuan/100 meters.
2.gamer: Cat6a shielded cable is recommended to ensure low latency and stability. The budget is about 300-500 yuan/100 meters.
3.small office: Cat6 is the best balance point. It is recommended to choose a model with a cross frame. The budget is 200-400 yuan/100 meters.
4.8K video studio: Cat8 network cable must be used. Although it is expensive (1000-2000 yuan/100 meters), it can ensure ultra-high bandwidth requirements.
5. Recent reputation list of popular brands
| brand | Hot selling models | User ratings | price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Alliance | Cat6 UTP | 4.8/5 | Mid-range |
| Shanze | Cat6aSFTP | 4.7/5 | Mid- to high-end |
| Pulian | Cat5e UTP | 4.5/5 | Economical |
| Amp | Cat7 SSTP | 4.9/5 | high-end |
6. Expert usage suggestions
1. Avoid purchasing non-standard network cables with exaggerated publicity such as "Category 7e" and look for the formal Cat standard.
2. When transmitting over long distances, choose a model with a thicker wire diameter (such as 23AWG) to reduce signal attenuation.
3. The quality of the crystal connector is equally important. Inferior connectors may cause the performance of the entire link to drop by more than 30%.
4. In the next five years, ordinary home users do not need to pursue Cat7 and above specifications. Cat6a is sufficient to meet the needs of 10G networks.
From the above analysis, we can see that the choice of network cable needs to be decided based on the actual usage scenario and budget. There is no absolute "best" network cable, only the most suitable solution. I hope this article can help you find the network cable product that best meets your needs among the many choices.
check the details
check the details